Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

What is Project 543?

Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

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Tour the largest hand-made cookie company in the world

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll want to take a bite of one of Mrs. Hanes Hand-Made Moravian Cookies. What started as a seasonal business for the family has grown into a mail-order mecca based out of Clemmons, near Winston-Salem. The method, however, has remained the same. Every cookie is rolled, cut and packed by hand to keep the high-quality taste for these “lighter than air” treats. The business has over 50,000 customers in the United States, as well as 30 other countries worldwide, and continues to grow every year. Stop in and take a tour of the bakery for a peek into the making of these old-fashioned delights. These cookies aren’t your grandma’s, but they might be just as good.